There are a large number of reasons for muffled hearing. For the majority of people, it’s a temporary situation. In other cases, muffled hearing can be a harbinger of more substantial hearing-related issues. In part, that’s because, aside from sudden hearing loss, hearing loss is generally not a condition that progresses suddenly. Symptoms show up gradually over a long period of time.
Typically, one of the first noticeable symptoms is a sense that sounds feel muffled, distorted, or quieter. Muffled hearing, however, isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re developing long-term hearing loss. Each year millions of individuals experience muffled hearing.
Perhaps you’re wondering if you should be worried about your muffled hearing. The answer depends on various factors. Recognizing the root cause of your muffled hearing is essential to finding the right treatment approach. Added damage can be prevented and your hearing can get back to normal with some quick solutions. You will be able to go back to enjoying the sounds of your life after you get us to assist you with some successful treatments.
What is muffled hearing?
When sound can’t move through your outer, middle, and inner ear in a normal way, your hearing can sound muffled. This leads to a noticeable decrease in sound quality. In the majority of instances, those with muffled hearing can still hear some or even most things, but things sound quieter or distorted. Hearing speech and language can be especially difficult.
Your ears will frequently also feel plugged up when your hearing is muffled. Sometimes, when you’re taking a flight or suffering from a cold you might experience this feeling. Muffled hearing isn’t always associated with this feeling, however.
What causes muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing can be caused by all kinds of problems. Identifying the root cause of your muffled hearing can be significant in establishing a successful treatment plan. Some of the most prevalent causes of muffled hearing include the following:
- Age-associated hearing loss: Most people will experience decreasing hearing as they age. Obviously, when you’re 80 all of your senses will be less acute than when you were 18. Over time, muffled hearing can be the consequence of this normal diminishing of your ability to hear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Hearing loss caused by noise damage can sometimes result in muffled hearing. This form of hearing loss is, regrettably, usually permanent. One of the first noticeable symptoms is muffled hearing; but damage to your stereocilia has usually already happened by the time you notice the distorted sounds. You should seek out treatment promptly to avoid your hearing getting substantially worse quickly.
- Earwax buildup: Earwax is usually a helpful thing. It helps keep your ear canal healthy. However, excessive earwax can eventually cause muffled hearing (or even hearing loss). This earwax can typically be loosened up by using a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Never try to free stuck earwax by using a cotton swab which will only pack the wax further up into the ear canal. If the issue persists, come in and see us.
- Meniere’s Disease: When you have Menier’s Disease, you suffer from chronic hearing and balance issues. Over time, this disease can trigger tinnitus, loss of hearing (often starting with muffled hearing), and dizziness or loss of balance. There’s no cure for Meniere’s Disease, but symptoms can be treated.
- Infection: In some cases, problems such as infections (including sinus infections or ear infections) can result in swelling in the ear canal (this is especially true with ear infections). This swelling can cause your ear canal to be completely blocked, effectively reducing your ability to hear. Once the root infection clears, any inflammation it caused should also clear.
- Travel: Altitude changes, such as when you’re on a plane, can lead to a feeling of muffled ears. Your hearing will go back to normal fairly quickly once your physical conditions return to normal.
Depending on the root cause, the exact symptoms of muffled hearing will differ.
Is there a cure for muffled hearing?
Some forms of muffled hearing can’t be cured. The underlying cause of your muffled hearing will establish the treatment method. We may use some specialized tools to help clean out your ear canal if, for instance, earwax buildup is at the root of your muffled hearing. Muffled hearing caused by an ear infection will usually clear up once the infection has been addressed, so antibiotics are often prescribed.
In terms of sensorineural hearing loss, the focus changes to symptom management instead of a total cure. That’s because there’s no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. However, symptoms can be controlled. This may take a number of forms, but the most common is using a pair of hearing aids so that you can bring clarity to what you hear.
Hearing aids can help you remain connected to loved ones and tackle your day-to-day activities without a substantially noticeable effect, particularly when this process is started promptly.
How to avoid muffled hearing in the first place
Some types of muffled hearing are hard to avoid, no matter what. Infections, for example, can’t always be avoided.
However, in most instances, routine hearing tests can help you avoid many of the causes of muffled hearing and detect any permanent hearing loss early. These examinations can help you stay on top of your hearing health and get treatment promptly.